The latest news from ekklesia on theology and politics from a christian perspective

The latest news from ekklesia on theology and politics from a christian perspective

By staff writers

31 Jul 2003

CAFOD welcomes US mandate to use force in Liberia

-31/7/03

Following weeks of bloodshed, CAFOD has welcomed the news that force may be used to bring change to the situation in Liberia.

The agency welcomed "signs of movement from the International Community towards restoring peace" but stressed that the urgency of the situation can not be understated.

The United States has tabled a draft United Nations Security Council resolution authorising a "peace enforcement force" to enter Liberia immediately.

Under the draft resolution the peace mission would, reportedly, be granted a mandate to use force if necessary. CAFOD believes that such a mandate is "essential if the mission is to be effective."

The news comes as a fact-finding mission from the West African ECOWAS union arrives in Monrovia. It is understood that the UN would, if the draft resolution is passed, underwrite some of the costs of the Nigerian troops who are preparing to enter Liberia first.

While welcoming the news of the draft resolution, CAFOD stressed that for every day that the International Community dithers, lives are being lost in Monrovia.

CAFOD Liberia programme officer David Baines said: ìThe utterly desperate state of the Liberian situation cannot be underestimated. People in Monrovia have nowhere to hide from the chaos of the fighting and for the thousands who are wounded there is only one hospital still open which is completely overwhelmed.

ìThere is very little food left in the city, prices have spiralled and there is no clean water. Cholera is reportedly taking hold in the city and could easily spiral into an epidemic unless order is restored extremely quickly."

ìOur partners in Monrovia are struggling against enormous difficulties to protect children made homeless by the fighting. Every time we make contact with them, they tell us that the situation is getting more desperate by the day. This draft resolution must not be left to gather dust if those children are to stand any chance of surviving the current chaos. The Security Council must meet immediately and back the US proposals.î

CAFOD welcomes US mandate to use force in Liberia

-31/7/03

Following weeks of bloodshed, CAFOD has welcomed the news that force may be used to bring change to the situation in Liberia.

The agency welcomed "signs of movement from the International Community towards restoring peace" but stressed that the urgency of the situation can not be understated.

The United States has tabled a draft United Nations Security Council resolution authorising a "peace enforcement force" to enter Liberia immediately.

Under the draft resolution the peace mission would, reportedly, be granted a mandate to use force if necessary. CAFOD believes that such a mandate is "essential if the mission is to be effective."

The news comes as a fact-finding mission from the West African ECOWAS union arrives in Monrovia. It is understood that the UN would, if the draft resolution is passed, underwrite some of the costs of the Nigerian troops who are preparing to enter Liberia first.

While welcoming the news of the draft resolution, CAFOD stressed that for every day that the International Community dithers, lives are being lost in Monrovia.

CAFOD Liberia programme officer David Baines said: ìThe utterly desperate state of the Liberian situation cannot be underestimated. People in Monrovia have nowhere to hide from the chaos of the fighting and for the thousands who are wounded there is only one hospital still open which is completely overwhelmed.

ìThere is very little food left in the city, prices have spiralled and there is no clean water. Cholera is reportedly taking hold in the city and could easily spiral into an epidemic unless order is restored extremely quickly."

ìOur partners in Monrovia are struggling against enormous difficulties to protect children made homeless by the fighting. Every time we make contact with them, they tell us that the situation is getting more desperate by the day. This draft resolution must not be left to gather dust if those children are to stand any chance of surviving the current chaos. The Security Council must meet immediately and back the US proposals.î